Mary Lou Fulton is director of communications at The California Wellness Foundation. In this capacity, she spearheads the evolution of our communications strategy that elevates the impactful work of our grantmaking, impact investing, and community partners. She comes to Cal Wellness with deep expertise and experience in communications, philanthropy, and social justice.
Prior to joining Cal Wellness in July 2024, Fulton spent four years as the founder of Optimista Consulting LLC, a boutique firm, providing communication and narrative strategy consulting for philanthropic organizations and nonprofits, including many of Cal Wellness’ partners. Prior to that, she spent more than a decade at The California Endowment, most recently serving as their Director of Narrative Strategy. While at TCE, she served as a member of the programs team and led the foundation's statewide public education strategies to end the use of harsh school discipline policies and advocate for justice reform through the #SchoolsNotPrisons campaign. Further, she led the foundation's grantmaking to youth, nonprofit and multicultural media outlets. Her background also includes experience in journalism, media, and start-ups.
Fulton has an MPA from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a BS in Journalism from Arizona State University. Mary Lou is a native of Yuma, Arizona, and a second-generation Mexican American.